Patents Examined by Stephen M. Hepperle
  • Patent number: 8042569
    Abstract: A fuel selector valve (100) in communication with at least first and second fuel tanks and an engine is provided. The fuel selector valve (100) includes a drive system (106), and a fuel draw valve (102) coupled to the drive system (106). The fuel draw valve (102) includes a first fuel tank draw port (108) adapted to be coupled to the first fuel tank, a second fuel tank draw port (110) adapted to be coupled to the second fuel tank, and an engine draw port (112) adapted to be coupled to the engine. The fuel selector valve (100) further includes a first closure element (120) operably coupled to the drive system (106). The first closure element (120) is selectively displaceable between a first position, wherein the first closure element (120) sealingly engages the first fuel tank draw port (108), and a second position, wherein the first closure element (120) sealingly engages the second fuel tank draw port (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Norgren G.T. Development Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Morris
  • Patent number: 8037896
    Abstract: A pressure control system remotely controls pressure within one or more remote zones, each respectively connected to an enclosure through a conduit, by controlling flow of a fluid into and out of each enclosure. The pressure of the fluid is measured within each enclosure. An estimated pressure within each zone is computed, as a function of the measured pressure in the enclosure and known characteristics of the conduit and the zone. For each zone, an inlet proportional valve and an outlet proportional valve of each enclosure is operated so as to control the input flow rate of the fluid into the respective enclosure and the output flow rate of the fluid out of the enclosure as a function of a pressure set point and the estimated pressure, thereby regulating pressure within the zone in accordance with the pressure set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Siddharth P. Nagarkatti, Gordon Hill
  • Patent number: 8033291
    Abstract: A cut-off valve assembly for use with a toilet tank, includes a float within the toilet tank, a water retaining float guide within the toilet tank which allows the vertical travel of the float, the water retaining float guide having weep holes below the lowest travel of the float. The weep holes slowly release the retained water when the water in the tank is below the weep holes, a magnet within the toilet tank, affixed to the bottom of the float, and a magnetically activated cut-off valve for cutting off the water flow to the toilet tank when activated by the magnet. The magnet will activate the magnetically activated cut-off valve when the float is at the lowest travel. A preferred form of the cut-off valve assembly also includes a stem affixed to the float and extending downward from the float. The magnet is affixed to the bottom of the stem, and the magnet is affixed to the float through the stem. In a preferred form, a magnet housing is affixed to the bottom of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Ovie L. Randolph
  • Patent number: 8033292
    Abstract: A heated humidifier including an autofeed mechanism disposed within a humidifier chamber. The autofeed mechanism includes a housing, a float, a stem, and a sealing body. The housing defines an inlet, an outlet, a first chamber connected to the inlet, and a second chamber connected to the outlet and the first chamber by a channel. The float moves within the second chamber with the stem projecting therefrom and through the channel. The sealing body is within the first chamber and cooperates with the stem. In an open state, the sealing body is displaced from the channel to permit filling of the humidifier chamber. In a closed state, the sealing body seals the channel to prevent liquid flow to the outlet. A location of the sealing body relative to the channel is controlled by the float as a function of a humidifier chamber liquid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: CareFusion 2200, Inc.
    Inventors: Andre Rustad, Scott Halperin
  • Patent number: 8028715
    Abstract: The present invention provides a check valve for use in a vacuum sewage pipe. The check valve includes a body having a sewage inlet and a sewage outlet to be coupled to the vacuum sewage pipe, a flap valve element disposed in the body and rotatably supported by a first shaft, and a closing mechanism. The closing mechanism can keep the flap valve element in a closed state so as to allow the flap valve element to function as a gate valve. The closing mechanism can also limit an opening degree of the flap valve element so as to allow the flap valve element to function as a check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Shimizu, Yuji Hiroto, Keisuke Ikeda, Fuyuki Ogaki
  • Patent number: 8028716
    Abstract: An annular mating portion extends from a fastening surface of a fastening nut. The mating portion has an inner diameter set to be substantially equal to an outer diameter of the portion of a piston in which an accommodating groove is formed. In a state in which the mating portion is inserted into the accommodating groove, and an inner circumferential surface of the mating portion slides in contact with a circumferential wall of the accommodating groove, the fastening nut is mated with a threaded portion, and a lip seal is held between the mating portion and the accommodating groove. This fixes the lip seal to the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Suzuki, Hidetoshi Fujiwara, Toshihiko Shima, Munetoshi Kuroyanagi
  • Patent number: 8028714
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lateral draft tube for a water control valve core, which is defined by a through-type groove and upper and lower openings. The through-type groove is sleeved around the shell of the water control valve core. The upper and lower portions have different diameters on the external wall of the draft tube. A ring flange is formed on the upper portion, and a guide ring surface is formed on the lower portion. The ring flange is provided with a sealing ring, and a drainage portion is arranged at the lower end of the draft tube to connect the through-type groove and guide ring surface. The draft tube can be located higher than the water control valve core, such that upward flow of the guide ring surface is not limited by the water control valve core. Thus, the upward flow of the water control valve core improves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Kuching International Ltd.
    Inventor: Mei-Li Chen
  • Patent number: 8028719
    Abstract: A control stop for a flush valve for a urinal or toilet fixture includes a housing defining a flow chamber divided by a valve seat into inlet and outlet sections. A valve structure is biased toward the valve seat by a spring applying a valve closing spring force. The housing is sealed by a diaphragm, and the diaphragm covers the movable valve structure, isolating it from water flowing through the housing. The diaphragm does not impede valve structure movement, and the closing spring force establishes a threshold water supply pressure for opening the control stop during increasing pressure following a no or low supply pressure condition. A plurality of control stops may supply a bank of flush valves and fixtures, and open in a cascading sequence during increasing pressure as a result of having springs with different closing spring forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8020577
    Abstract: A rupture disc assembly for pneumatic plugs constructed and arranged to cooperate with an aperture in an end casting or other plug component to expel excess air from the plug interior when a predetermined internal plug pressure is reached. The rupture disc holder assembly may have a two part body structure and be mounted to the inside or outside of the pneumatic plug. The rupture disc assembly utilizes a rupturable member in a flanged holder structure positioned in communication with the pneumatic plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Cherne Industries Incorporated
    Inventors: Brent L. Gabel, David A. Endresen, Mark C. Bjorlin
  • Patent number: 8020581
    Abstract: A secondary drainage funnel for use in combination with a laundry box having a bottom wall with a drain opening formed therein includes a generally hollow body having an upper end and a lower end. The upper end includes an inlet opening for receiving a secondary drainage discharge tube. The lower end has a discharge opening formed therein and is shaped to be supported on the lower wall of the laundry box proximate the drain opening with the discharge opening in fluid communication with the drain opening while leaving sufficient access to the drain opening to allow a laundry drain hose to be inserted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sioux Chief Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Frank D. Julian, Truman J. Stegmaier
  • Patent number: 8020574
    Abstract: A fluid passage is emergently-closed in a short time without causing a water hammer by an extremely simple device and operation. A water hammerless closing device includes an actuator operated valve provided in a fluid passage, an electro-pneumatic conversion device for supplying a 2-step actuator operating pressure Pa to an actuator operated-type valve, a vibration sensor removably secured to the pipe passage on the upstream side of the actuator operated-type valve, and a tuning box receiving a vibration detection signal Pr from the vibration sensor and delivering a control signal Sc to the electro-pneumatic conversion device for controlling the step operating pressure Ps? of the 2-step actuator operating pressure Pa so that, with the control signal Sc being regulated, the electro-pneumatic conversion device outputs the 2-step actuator operating pressure Pa with the step operating pressure Ps? capable of bringing the vibration detection signal Pr substantially to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignees: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Nobukazu Ikeda, Kouji Nishino, Masaaki Nagase, Kyousuke Dohi, Ryutaro Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8020582
    Abstract: An excess flow valve having a housing, a valve seat, a poppet and an adjusting ring. The adjusting ring lies within a bore in the housing and there is an opening through the housing permitting access to the adjustment ring from outside the bore of the housing. Rotation of the adjusting ring controls the maximum travel distance between the poppet and the valve seat. In an embodiment a travelling valve guide is rotatably mounted within the adjustment ring to change the maximum travel distance between the poppet and the valve seat. A spring may bias the poppet and the valve seat away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Plainsman Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Lea-Wilson, Dan Brian F. Fajayan
  • Patent number: 8011384
    Abstract: A bridge faucet assembly including a hot water pillar, a cold water pillar positioned in spaced relation to the hot water pillar, and a bridge fluidly coupled to the hot water pillar and the cold water pillar. A spout is supported by the bridge and includes an internal passageway. A coupler is at least partially received within the internal passageway of the spout and is configured to couple the spout to the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Zuhair A. Izzy, Scott K. Jones
  • Patent number: 8011380
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cylindrical, single-component two-stage regulator for controlling a pressure and a flow rate of a gas. The regulator includes a housing for holding the two stages having an ingress adapted for connection to a source of gas at a high input pressure and an egress adapted for supplying gas at a lower output pressure than the high input pressure; a first stage for reducing the pressure of the gas from the high input pressure to a fixed intermediate pressure; and a second stage for reducing the pressure of the gas from the fixed intermediate pressure to the lower output pressure and regulating the flow rate of the gas out of the egress. One application of the present invention is for use in scuba (Self-Contained Under-water Breathing Apparatus) applications, where it replaces the traditional two-component user-adjustable regulator. The regulator may be made out of stainless steel, and is small enough to fit into a user's mouthpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Vision Tech International LLP
    Inventors: Paul J. Califano, Michael J. Califano
  • Patent number: 8011383
    Abstract: A fuel tank for an agricultural vehicle, comprises a main fuel tank 10 having a filler pipe 11 and a separate inlet 15 and a removable auxiliary tank 30 having a second filler pipe 32 and an outlet 36 for supplying fuel into the separate inlet 15 of the main tank. To avoid spillage from the filler pipe of the main tank 10, in one aspect of the invention, a valve 16 is provided in the main fuel tank 10 to close off the second inlet 15 when the fuel level within the main tank 10 reaches a predetermined level. In a second aspect of the invention, spillage is avoided by means of an extension tube 40 which sealingly engages the filler tube 11 of the main tank at its lower end and opens at its upper end into the filler pipe 46 of the auxiliary tank 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey William Mowatt, Thomas Charles Kindred
  • Patent number: 8006718
    Abstract: A sleeve has an input port, an output port, an insertion hole, and only one discharge port. A spool is axially slidable through the insertion hole to communicate among the input port, the output port, and the discharge port. An electric actuator is provided to one end of the sleeve and has a variable volume chamber, which communicates with the discharge port through an axial through hole and a spool breathing hole in the spool. The spool has a communication through hole to lead fluid from the output port to the discharge port through the axial through hole. A passage partition member is in the axial through hole to define an in-spool breathing passage communicating with the spool breathing hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hamaoka, Jiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 8006716
    Abstract: A floating valve providing a parent-and-subsidiary flow-guided floating valve of low pressure drop, high throughput and highly flexible operation maintaining high efficiency within a wide range of gaseous load changes is disclosed. Furthermore, a parent-and-subsidiary flow-guided floating valve having at least two legs, wherein the body of the parent valve is a symmetrical plane figure with the central axis line as the symmetrical line, the central axis line to the overflow cofferdam along the direction in which the liquid flows is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Nanjing Universtiy
    Inventors: Zhibing Zhang, Zheng Zhou, Yinchun Liang, Baorong Wang
  • Patent number: 7997294
    Abstract: A soil moisture sensing system includes a housing embedded in the soil and having a water chamber adapted to receive water from a water source. A controlled drainage assembly includes a semi-permeable membrane coupled to said water chamber for controllably releasing water from the water chamber. A magnetically actuated switch is coupled to a float in the water chamber to provide a control signal when the water level in the water chamber is at a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventor: Donald Murray
  • Patent number: 7997299
    Abstract: A structure of a bubble prevention buffer tank of a fuel cell vehicle is provided that comprises at least one mesh and at least one lattice inside the buffer tank so as to remove air bubbles inside the buffer tank by breaking the air bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Seung Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 7997300
    Abstract: A flow modulator to control the flow of an aerosol to an aerosol detection and/or monitoring system and other aerosol flow systems includes a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a diverging section of the chamber beneath the inlet that has a flow divider at the center to divide the aerosol into fractions, a recirculation section in which the divided aerosol fractions are recombined, and a converging section that channels the recombined aerosol fractions to the outlet of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Daniel G. Wise, Lawrence J. Hyttinen